Jeremiah 44:17 Meaning and Explanation
“But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The exiles vow to continue burning incense to the queen of heaven, claiming it brought them prosperity.
The Context of Jeremiah 44:17
They commit to continuing idol worship, attributing past prosperity to it.
What Does Jeremiah 44:17 Mean?
The exiles commit to following 'whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth'—their own desires and decisions rather than God's direction. They explicitly choose to burn incense to the 'queen of heaven' (likely an Assyrian/Babylonian goddess, possibly Astarte), continuing the very practice that brought judgment. Their decision is not passive drift but active vow—they commit themselves to this idol.
Their justification reveals their theology: 'When we burned incense... we had plenty... and were well.' They credit the idol with their former prosperity and implicitly blame God for the misery that followed His judgment. In their minds, abandoning the idol brought deprivation, so returning to it should restore blessing. They are inverting cause and effect, attributing good to false gods rather than recognizing their own disobedience as the cause of judgment.
Jeremiah 44:17 in the Original Language
malkah (מַלְכָּה), 'queen' — a deity figure, here contrasted with the one true God, showing how completely the exiles have adopted pagan theology.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 44:17
What does Jeremiah 44:17 mean?
The exiles vow to continue burning incense to the queen of heaven, claiming it brought them prosperity.
What is the context of Jeremiah 44:17?
They commit to continuing idol worship, attributing past prosperity to it.